From the Guidelines
No vaccine is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Extensive research involving millions of children has found no connection between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders, as stated in a study published in 2018 1. The original study claiming a link was thoroughly discredited and retracted.
Key Points
- Vaccines are rigorously tested for safety before approval, and the benefits of vaccination in preventing serious diseases far outweigh any potential risks.
- The exact causes of autism are not fully understood, but current evidence points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors during early brain development.
- Autism symptoms typically appear in early childhood, around the same time many vaccines are given, which likely contributed to the mistaken belief of a connection.
- A large body of scientific evidence demonstrates that thimerosal-containing vaccines are not associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in children, as supported by multiple studies 1.
Recommendation
Parents should follow the recommended childhood immunization schedule to protect their children's health, as the benefits of vaccination in preventing serious diseases far outweigh any potential risks.
From the Research
Vaccine Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- There is no evidence to support a link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been specifically studied, and no causal relationship has been found between the MMR vaccine and autism 2, 4, 5.
- Components of vaccines, such as thimerosal or mercury, have also been investigated, and no association has been found with the development of autism or ASD 5.
- Despite the lack of evidence, some parents of children with ASD may still believe in a link between vaccines and autism, which can influence their decision to vaccinate their children 6.
Studies Investigating Vaccine-Autism Link
- A meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies found no relationship between vaccination and autism or ASD 5.
- A review of articles published from 1998 to 2009 found that the evidence presented does not show a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism 4.
- A study published in 2012 found that half of the parents of children with ASD discontinued or changed vaccination practices due to a belief that vaccines contributed to ASD 6.